Pickleball Overgrip and Replacement Grip UK 2026

Replacement grip (under-grip):

• Wraps directly onto the bare paddle handle.
• Thickness: 1.5-2.0mm typical.
• Material: synthetic leather or PU (polyurethane) cushion.
• Function: cushions the handle, increases overall grip diameter, protects handle from wear.
• Lifespan: 6-12 months recreational; 3-6 months tournament.
• Replacement signals: significant compression (feels thin), tears, or hardened/cracked finish.
• Cost: GBP 8-15 each.

Overgrip (top wrap):

• Wraps on TOP of the replacement grip.
• Thickness: 0.4-0.7mm typical.
• Material: synthetic absorbent (Tourna), tacky synthetic (Wilson/Yonex), or hybrid.
• Function: provides actual grip feel, sweat absorption, fast replaceable when feel changes.
• Lifespan: 10-30 hours of play; longer for dry-hand players.
• Replacement signals: lost tackiness, sweat-saturated, shiny/glazed appearance.
• Cost: GBP 3-6 each.

Why both layers:

• Overgrip is the consumable - cheap + replaced often.
• Replacement grip is the durable cushioning - changed only when worn.
• Lets you experiment with overgrip feel cheaply without re-wrapping the full handle.

Overgrips fall into two general styles:

Tacky overgrips:

• Sticky synthetic surface that adheres to dry skin.
• Examples: Wilson Pro Overgrip, Yonex Super Grap, Babolat VS Original.
• Best for: dry-hand players in cool conditions.
• Drawback: gets slippery when sweat saturates.

Absorbent (dry) overgrips:

• Microfibre or felt-textured surface; absorbs sweat to maintain grip.
• Examples: Tourna Grip XL, Tourna Grip Original.
• Best for: sweaty-hand players, hot conditions, long matches.
• Drawback: less tactile feel; some players don't like the dry finish.

Cushioned tacky (hybrid):

• Slightly thicker (0.6-0.8mm) with both tacky surface + extra padding.
• Examples: Gamma Supreme, Head HydroSorb Pro.
• Best for: players with tennis-elbow / arm issues; want extra cushioning without extra handle diameter.

Overgrip change signals:

• Lost tackiness (slips between fingers during play).
• Sweat-saturated + dark (won't dry out between sessions).
• Shiny/glazed appearance (worn smooth on contact zones).
• Smells unpleasant (skin oils + bacteria buildup).
• Time-based: 10-30 hours of play depending on hand-sweat + intensity.

Replacement grip change signals:

• Feels thin/hard (cushion compressed).
• Visible tears or cracks.
• Glue residue showing through.
• Time-based: 6-12 months recreational; 3-6 months tournament.

Typical schedule for a 5-hour/week player:

• Overgrip: change every 3-4 weeks (~12-15 hours).
• Replacement grip: change every 9-12 months.
• Annual cost: ~GBP 50-70 for overgrips + GBP 12 for replacement grip = GBP 62-82.

Tools needed: overgrip (in package with finishing tape strip).

Steps:

1. Remove old overgrip: pull from bottom of handle upward. Leave replacement grip intact.
2. Clean handle: wipe down with damp cloth to remove sweat + dust.
3. Identify the tapered end: most overgrips have one tapered end + one straight; tapered end goes at handle base (bottom).
4. Peel adhesive backing: typically only a 1" strip at the tapered end has adhesive. Most overgrip is held by tension + the finishing tape.
5. Start at handle base: align tapered end with bottom of handle; press adhesive strip onto handle base.
6. Wrap upward at 30-45° angle: each wrap overlaps previous by 2-3mm. Pull firm tension - not so tight that it stretches, not so loose that it gathers.
7. Stop ~1-2cm below top of handle: leaves room for finishing tape.
8. Cut excess overgrip with scissors: angled cut so the finishing tape covers the cut edge.
9. Apply finishing tape: 3-5 wraps tightly around the cut edge to lock the overgrip in place.
10. Check feel + tightness: grip should feel snug + secure. If it's lumpy, re-wrap with consistent tension.

YouTube has good visual tutorials - search 'how to wrap pickleball overgrip' before first attempt if you've never done it.

• Tourna Grip XL (recommended for most UK players): GBP 4-6 each, GBP 12-18 for 3-pack. Absorbent/dry standard; works for sweaty + non-sweaty hands. Industry standard for tennis + spreads into pickleball.
• Wilson Pro Overgrip: GBP 3-5 each, GBP 10-15 for 3-pack. Tacky, balanced feel. Most pickleball pros use this for control matches.
• Yonex Super Grap: GBP 4-6 each. Tacky, long-lasting (the longest-lasting tacky overgrip in industry reviews).
• Gamma Supreme: GBP 4-5 each. Cushioned tacky; for tennis-elbow players.
• Head HydroSorb Pro: GBP 3-5 each. Hybrid with light tackiness + sweat absorption.

Recommended replacement grip:

• Wilson Cushion Aire Perforated: GBP 10-15. Industry standard, perforated for sweat venting.
• Gamma Hi-Tech Replacement Grip: GBP 12-15. Slightly thicker for thinner-handle paddles.

1. Keeping overgrip until it's visibly worn out: by then you've been playing with degraded grip for 5+ hours. Change at first hints of slippage.
2. Using only an overgrip without a replacement grip underneath: hard handle = bad cushioning + faster overgrip wear.
3. Wrapping overgrip too tight: stretches the strip + creates pressure points on fingers.
4. Wrapping too loose: overgrip rotates around handle mid-play.
5. Using overgrip past 2x recommended lifespan: bacteria buildup + smell.
6. Buying expensive paddle + cheap GBP 2 generic overgrip: grip is half the feel - don't skimp.